Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/696144
18 • JULY 2016 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Visit Logical Decisions at www.ldi.com Your Gate Operator Specialist Find us on P.V.C. PROFILES • SECTIONS • CAPS Lowest Prices • Highest Quality Easy Credit Terms Save more and learn to fabricate! We will teach you how! UVX Universal Vinyl Extruders, Inc. 631-643-1786 www.uvxextruders.com NEW CONVENIENT PICK UP POINT IN MARYLAND The Human Link continued from previous page I should mention here that I point- ed out the difficulty of determining accurate economic numbers from China, and I still don't know what is real or unreal. What is clear are two things: Number one is that their economy ap- pears to be slowing down, and Num- ber two is that they are transferring from a manufacturing-oriented econ- omy to a consumer-oriented economy; adding to the real numbers while this occurrence is going on. We will see. We expressed some thought on employment. I said that I felt that 2016 would see better job creation on a month-to-month basis. I also predict- ed that the energy and manufacturing sectors would be the biggest problem areas because of global slowdown and low energy prices. I think I nailed that, but I believe that if oil continues to sta- bilize we may see some job creation picking up later in the year in those sectors. If oil (West Texas Intermedi- ate or WTI) falls back to the $30-$35 price per barrel area, then job creation in that sector will be virtually nonex- istent. As for consumer spending, I had mentioned that I felt it would improve as time went on, particularly if jobs were more plentiful. Well, perhaps in some ways I nailed that too, partic- ularly when we look at new car pur- chases (SUVs and crossovers, particu- larly) and I believe at this point that it will continue to show signs of growth and escalate in the next six months on a large percentage change basis. Credit card charging is on the rise again, and this is a sign that spending is picking up. I also pointed out that one bright spot would be an improving housing market. We have seen some improve- ment overall in both new and resale properties. But as of this writing, we are see- ing a slowdown in home sales, even though mortgage rates are still very low. I am thinking that the major rea- son for this is that apparently rent- al vs. ownership is very attractive to millennials, due in part to the fact that many are unable to scrape together down payments for homes. Perhaps that will change and along with other factors momentum will resume on the upside before much longer. I think from what I am seeing, the South and the West are growing and will continue to lead the way. Well, on balance at the so-called halfway mark I believe for the most part I'm still on target. Many of the problems that were present last fall are still with us and show no sign of abating any time soon. Washington is still a problem in so many ways and Congress probably will not do much until after the elec- tion in November. The Federal Reserve, on the other hand, might raise interest rates one or two times before year end, depending on data. Finally, the election. It appears to me that the Republican campaign and at times the Democratic campaign might have been better served by be- ing covered and featured on Saturday Night Live! I am still waiting to hear specifics from anybody as to how they intend to resolve any of our major problems that each is campaigning on. I think at this point the election process has served to fragment and polarize the nation than at any time in recallable memory. I don't pretend to know how the presidential election is going to turn out, but whoever takes office will have their hands full in dealing with a new Congress and establishing parameters addressing economic and business re- lated items on one hand and social is- sues on the other. They will also have to deal with many foreign policy is- sues ranging from ISIS to the global economy. Let's hope that all involved in the decision-making process real- ize that it's everyone collectively that needs to come together to successfully work through our problems in order to bring it to a successful conclusion. As always I entreat you all to be ever vigilant and mindful of the po- tential necessity to make changes on the fly if you are to successfully real- ize that Profit Is Not A Dirty Word™. It appears to me that the Republican presidential campaign and at times the Democratic campaign might have been better served by being featured on Saturday Night Live ! 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